We appreciate the Office of Juvenile Justice’s decision, as the safety and wellbeing of children should be its top priority. The State should not be taking children from their homes and communities if they cannot keep them safe and provide appropriate services. Louisiana is at a critical moment in youth justice. It is time for […]

When Shawn came home from juvenile prison this past August, he was ready to get back to being a normal teenager. He had spent the last three years preparing for his second chance, but the outside world wasn't ready for his return. Kids released from incarceration frequently aren't supported with their re-entry. This gap in services sets them up for failure and creates a revolving door of incarceration. This is where our client services team steps in to help.

The New York Times recently released an investigative report on the systemic failures and ignored abuse running rampant within Ware Youth Center – which has led to a surge in suicide attempts amongst incarcerated children. Governor Edwards has since announced he will request an investigation from the State Inspector General. The violence and abuse at […]

We met “Kentrell” as an 11th grader who was completely on his own. Some poor choices led him to be arrested. His father then kicked him out of the house and no other family member would take him in. Here's how we helped.

U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick issued a ruling that will allow Louisiana to move forward with its proposed plan to house adjudicated youth in a facility on the grounds of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. This decision contradicts everything we know about youth facilities. As the former director of the Missouri Division of Youth Services […]

Louisiana has failed the children in its care in the Office of Juvenile Justice facilities and is planning to punish those children for its failings. The state’s plan to move children to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola will exacerbate the harms to those children and make Louisiana less safe. Malcolm Jenkins, a former New Orleans Saint, […]

Please join LCCR on Thursday, October 20 @ 6pm CST via Zoom for a solutions-oriented panel discussion about our latest report on the educational failures in Louisiana’s juvenile prisons—and where we go from here. RSVP today!

For 25 years, the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights has fought to keep children out of the criminal legal system so they can thrive in their own homes and communities. Our current work began when the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana and Juvenile Regional Services joined forces and resources to continue their policy advocacy and […]

It's been another huge year for LCCR. We served more than 600 kids between New Orleans and East Baton Rouge, reigned in the state's usage of solitary confinement against children, and exposed the state's opening of a secret juvenile prison. Click here to read all about what your support helped us achieve in FY 2022.

On July 7, LCCR and our friends at the Power Coalition for Equity & Justice are coming together to discuss the 2022 Louisiana legislative session. We'll be sharing key legislative victories in juvenile justice, criminal justice, and voting rights, and how they’ll affect you and your community.